Repetitive sequences in Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx L.) mitochondrial DNA control region

Abstract

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (CR) of numerous species is known to include up to five different repetitive sequences (RS1–RS5) that are found at various locations, involving motifs of different length and extensive length heteroplasmy. Two repetitive sequences (RS2 and RS3) on opposite sides of mtDNA central conserved region have been described in domestic cat (Felis catus) and some other felid species. However, the presence of repetitive sequence RS3 has not been detected in Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) yet. We analyzed mtDNA CR of 35 Eurasian lynx (L. lynx L.) samples to characterize repetitive sequences and to compare them with those found in other felid species. We confirmed the presence of 80 base pairs (bp) repetitive sequence (RS2) at the 5′ end of the Eurasian lynx mtDNA CR L strand and for the first time we described RS3 repetitive sequence at its 3′ end, consisting of an array of tandem repeats five to ten bp long. We found that felid species share similar RS3 repetitive pattern and fundamental repeat motif TACAC.

Keywords::

• Eurasian lynx
• Lynx lynx
• mtDNA
• control region
• repetitive sequences

Acknowledgments

We are very grateful to Vedran Slijepčević, Josip Tomaić, Josip Kusak, Tomaž Skrbinšek, Miha Krofel, Hubert Potočnik, Ivan Kos, and Slavomir Find'o for their help with obtaining the samples. This research was carried as a part of Interreg IIIA project “Transboundary cooperation in management, conservation and research of the Dinaric lynx population.” Also we are grateful for financial support provided by Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sport (through scientific project “Wildlife Health Monitoring”), Croatian State Institute for Nature Protection and Carlsberg Croatia.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.